Musicman20

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='898870' date='Jul 19 2010, 01:03 PM']I know pretty much nothing about Gus basses - I didn't even know that's what it was. Having been to the Gus website I'd say design-wise it looks to me like something from the mid-1970s - probably a kitchen stool. Ugly as ... you fill in the gap. However, I also listened to the sound files and that's why I'm out. But who cares anyway. I'll still be playing a Fender when Gus basses are no longer looked at with rose-tinted glasses.[/quote] I just went on the Gus site as I was curious to what they actually sound like. Very middy would be the response. I like mids but that sound is not my cup of tea. How much are they?!

Thanks for all the helps chaps. Ive got a few articles now, instead of buying a book (despite the fact that Fender book will have drool worthy photos so I might get one down the line). Im going to use the Lakland videos and the JD guide that Barrie has just kindly sorted out for me. Now I just need the right tools....Ive got everything Fenders come with. I need: Quality screwdriver with different head option Straight Edge A ruler with the correct increments Possibly feeler guides String cutters (I used some before and they were RUBBISH) I think....

I might be able to get a kit of tools cheaper than the whole package offered by Cruztools, but then again apparently it has everything in plus the kitchen sink and they are a pro quality, eg not screwdrivers that come with a Christmas Cracker haha.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='898443' date='Jul 18 2010, 10:35 PM']Hey Gareth. Have you considered one of these? They seem to be very well liked over on TB. Obviously it will be hard to try one out first. [url="http://www.atkinsonbasses.com/"]Atkinson basses[/url][/quote] They look great!

Some of the YouTube vids are very poor and imprecise. The Lakland ones are fantastic! Speaking of tools, will this kit basically do everything? [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/cruztools_bas_1_bass_player_tech_kit.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/cruztools_bas_1_b...er_tech_kit.htm[/url] Are the feeler gauges essentially the same as the thickness gauge in this kit? I only have the odd tool or two so a decent set will help me with other things as well, including string changing, (cutters). I have a pet hate for the wrong size tools!

In addition, do I need any more specific tools other than a tape measure, screwdrivers, and the tools that came with the Fenders? Thanks!

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='898471' date='Jul 18 2010, 11:01 PM']Really Fender & Fender type basses only.[/quote] I'm guessing it's similar to Stingrays apart from tools/truss rid wheel etc?

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='898444' date='Jul 18 2010, 10:35 PM']I appreciate you haven't mentioned spending money but [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fender-Bass-Manual-Maintain-Guitar/dp/1844258173/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279488851&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fender-Bass-Manual...8851&sr=1-1[/url] is a really useful & easy book[/quote] Thanks! Looks like a good buy.

I have been lucky enough to not have to set up a bass, apart from minor tweaks. You might find this crazy, but Ive never adjusted a trussrod. I dont think Ive ever needed to. I have a careful eye and im pretty patient. Id like to start being able to do a good basic setup on my basses eg trussrod, string height, intonation. One of my Fenders has super low action (perhaps to low) and another needs lowering a little. Are there any good threads or valuable guides on the internet? I want to know the proper way of doing this so I can be sure Im not going to mess up. Ive watched the Lakland setup videos and they seem pretty detailed. Can anyone recommend any thread/videos/online guides etc on how to officially and safely set up a bass? Thanks

Single/Zender version, probably because Im more used to that bassline. I like the little octaves. IMO, the best player for JK is Paul Turner. He has some of the nicest funk tones Ive heard. Maybe thats because Im always erring on the side of vintage. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzyj3Wxhjr4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzyj3Wxhjr4[/url] P Bass, flats. Done.

[quote name='Anton346' post='898129' date='Jul 18 2010, 03:50 PM']Hey guys, Thanks for your comments and opinions. I'm currently using a SWR 550x but it just doesn't cut it volume wise through an 8ohm 4x10 which makes me think that the SVT-3 definitely won't. However my 8x10 is 4ohm so the SVT-7 is gonna be earthmovingly loud. Although the occasion will probably call for it if i'm taking an 8x10.[/quote] If the SWR is struggling the SVT-3 will definitely not be able to give you more volume. 7 all the way I reckon, or go for a Genz Shuttle 9.0 which is 900W at 4 ohms and super light.

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='898044' date='Jul 18 2010, 01:43 PM']... and can't stand Rotos, love Fenders.[/quote] Basically a +1 there. The problem is with moving on from a Fender, is that nothing looks quite as cool, and thats it.

I know its all part and parcel of the entire build, but every neo speaker Ive heard does have a slightly different tone, and the only one that came really close to ceramic was the Tecamp M212. Thats including the Berg AE line that, IMO, does have a peak in the aggressive part of the mids. Even the tone gurus on talkbass talk about the aggression. Then they wont have anything said against it! But, if you have a cab thats 'slightly' shy in mids, they will give the poor thing hell. Both mid shy and mid hump means you have to EQ slightly, so I see no problem. I did think the AE line mids were pretty damn aggressive though, and I imagine a Precision with rounds with a bit of grit would be overkill through that cab setup. Again, its all about compromise. Im awaiting to see the next generation of neo speakers before I look into lightweight cabs again. I must admit, to the OP, that I thought due to the weight that the TC cabs were neo. They are VERY light for a ceramic loaded cabinet. For example, the Berg AE212 is 55lbs approx, and the TC RS 212 is 49 lbs approx. The Berg being neo and the TC being ceramic. Admittedly that Berg AE212 will be a very good cabinet, but Id have expected a little less weight. I also tried a few Markbass cabs, and they are light and well made, but again there is a slight mid hump. If you are having problems with the mids, just find the centre freq. thats causing the problem on your RH450, and dial it out a little

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='897875' date='Jul 18 2010, 11:06 AM']I suppose befor some smart arse says it,Stingrays with more than one pup do have a selector switch obviously! Logic always says the Sterling should be a better bass than the ray but I bet sales figures suggest the other way round?[/quote] I just prefer the sound of the alnico pups and pickguard on the Rays, and luckily they now make Ray 5s with the same alnico pups. Sterlings sound more aggressive and hifi/modern to my ears.

I used Rotosounds for years, and I wouldnt try anything else purely as the tone was 'pretty good' and they were mid priced. I really dont like cheap strings, and before I came on this site I didnt know that much about the higher end strings. Now Ive moved on from Rotos, I definitely do not miss them. Ernie Ball strings are very good, and DRs are exceptional. When it comes to flats, TI's seem to work brilliantly. One thing I am shocked with is how much Ive moved on from bright pingy strings all the way down to thumpy flats. I still like fairly grindy string, but I appreciate flats and nickel strings a lot more now. The stock strings that came on my Fenders are much nicer than I thought they would be, althought the Es are huge (.110).

Hi Strange thing is, those TC cabinets are ceramic loaded cabinets, not neo! Certain neo cabinets do have a 'honkiness' to them. I think it depends on what brand and what amp/bass you use as well as some may emphasise that tone or even add to it. Markbass cabs have a peak in the mids and the Berg AE line have aggressive mids as well.

[quote name='voxpop' post='897334' date='Jul 17 2010, 03:08 PM']I haven't gigged the LB yet but feel you are right in saying that its not quite powerful enough. Through two Compact 115's ( 4 ohms ) the sound is very smooth with plenty of punch. The EQ has a very subtle effect on the sound. I found it very different with the two Sandberg basses I own. On both the Spyder and the LB the mid has very little effect in one switch position and quite a powerful mid scoop in the other when using the knob in a counter clock wise setting. Bass switch works great on the LB, one switch position give a growl and the other a mellow relaxed sound which is great for blues. BUT on the Spyder it only gives the growl sound as the switch does nothing in the mellow position....( another bad design ). The treble both amps work a treat. The BRIGHT switch on the LB works great BUT on the Spyder does nothing....I really mean NOTHING..( another crap design ). I use very high quality cables and basses so can hear the differences, no matter how subtle...... I'm sure these switch problems need to addressed as I'm getting very frustrated and I am seriously thinking of sending BOTH back so that ASHDOWN can get the design right. To finalize the two design / build problems................. [u][b]The Spyder.....[/b][/u] Both the BASS and MID switches have very little effect or may be nothing at all in one position. This is the DOWN position. In the UP position they work as described. The BRIGHT switch has NO EFFECT when used..............NOTHING.???? No XLR DI out only a stereo jack plug....WHY???? [u][b]The Little Bastard....[/b][/u] The HIGH and LOW inputs are the other way round from the Spyder..( bad design ) MID switch is the same as the Spyder but reversed.....Up is down and down is up ( bad design ) The MUTE switch is the same, up is down and down is up. PLUS points....... The Little Bastards BASS switch works a treat, from growl to mellow in one switch movement. WHY cant this design work on the Spyder. Both of these amps a great in isolation but when put together they look like they have been designed and built by two very different people. Both amps came with the WRONG manuals...I had to go online to find how the switches work. When I did I found out that they work in completely different ways on each unit. I am going to have a rethink and maybe return BOTH as neither do as they are described. If ASHDOWN are reading this then please PM me as I have had enough.[/quote] Thats pretty poor, I agree. I would expect them to rectify it or get your money back. Good luck with it all.

Nice pic on the wall!

[quote name='JTUK' post='897105' date='Jul 17 2010, 09:19 AM']How would you value the basses, price-wise....? At a guess, I'd think the RV4 would be £1800 plus, and the DJ4 about £800...?? The Sadowsky would need to be REALLY REALLY spot on considering the competition around that price...??[/quote] £1800 for a non-NYC Sadowsky is just absolutely astronomical in terms of price! I cannot even believe they are THINKING of selling them for that much. Some of them on their site are over £2k, which is going into very high end basses. You could buy a lot more with that money. I know Sadowsky have a great rep and I must admit their attention to detail is great, BUT, £1800 for a 4 string Jazz bass with a pre in it?! The worst thing is that massive ugly plastic panel on the back for the battery etc. That unacceptable for that price. Sadowsky basses will still sell at this price as people will buy purely for the name and hype. Im not knocking their basses, as they look fantastic (apart from that rear panel) but Id never spend that much when its not even their top line. I wanted to like them when I tested 3 or 4 of them in the GuitarGuitar in Newcastle, but I thought they just sounded, hmmm, 'lacking'. Their was a guy next to me trying a normal American Standard Fender, so I picked it up after him, and there it was, that passive 'bite' and grunt that the Sadowsky just couldnt do. My next plan is to try their PJ to see what I think. I must admit, Guitarguitar have a hell of a lot of high end gear. Prices to match though.

[quote name='Doddy' post='897184' date='Jul 17 2010, 11:44 AM']It would be interesting to know what happened on the tour to make you feel like this.But until then,I'm going to offer a different answer from nearly everyone else. Maybe it would be for the best if you did sell some of your gear. If touring with your band was a dream,but in reality it made you feel low,then maybe music isn't for you. Maybe if you did sell your stuff you may get the urge to play again on a few years time and have more enthusiasm for it as a hobby. If you leave your gear lying around untouched,you may come to resent it.It's difficult for me to say because I have never felt like I have had enough of playing....Situations,yes,but never playing.[/quote] I agree, Ive wanted to stop certain band scenarios but NEVER playing. In fact if I did want to quit a band it was just to move on to something new.

I don't understand the huge popularity of the Squier Jag? It really doesn't look that pretty. The CV Jazz is fantastic, but that Jag doesn't look right.

I'd get the 7. The 3 is underpowered at 8 ohms.

Just watch the Lakland QC; I've had 4 basses and sent them all back.